Watkins chamber terminates Crystal Ricks’ employment

SCHUYLER COUNTY—The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors terminated the employment of chamber President Crystal Ricks, Wednesday, March 11.“The regular monthly review of the chamber of commerce’s financial statements conducted this week (Tuesday, March 10) revealed irregularities, which were reported to the board of directors,” said Board Chairman Tom Phillips. He added that the chamber turned the matter over to the District Attorney's office.
“(Phillips) asked us to conduct an investigation into the possible misuse of funds,” said Joe Fazzary, district attorney. He explained once the village police finish their investigation, the DA’s office will then decide how to act. Fazzary added that is all he knows at the time until the police are done.
Phillips said the executive board met Wednesday morning and the full chamber board met Wednesday afternoon to decide what to do. The board of directors voted unanimously to terminate Ricks, effective immediately.
“I hoped that would be the last (president) for a while,” said former board chairman, Rick Stelzer. Phillips said previous to Ricks, in the last four years the chamber had three presidents and an interim president.
“It’s a huge disappointment,” said Phillips.
A press release from the chamber said they would look for a new president “in the near future.”